They have no better chance to wipe it off the board than in their next three games — all at the Air Canada Centre where they have not won in two outings this season.

The Pittsburgh Penguins and Nashville Predators are the only other teams not to have won at home.

“Our main focus is getting a win at home,” defenceman Cody Franson said. “We have lost our first two home games and that is not acceptable. We want to make our building a place that is tough to come in and steal a point from. In order to do that we have to come out with a really good effort against Washington and start putting our foot on things.”

The Capitals, at the ACC on Thursday, have struggled, winning just once in six games. Alex Ovechkin has just two points and Nicklas Backstrom has not scored yet.